Slaven Bilic has insisted there is still a good atmosphere among the squad despite their heavy defeat to Manchester City in midweek.

The Hammers are back in action away at Southampton on Saturday, just three days after they were pumped 4-0 by a rampant City at the London Stadium.

Bilic will be boosted by the return of Cheikhou Kouyate from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal but there is an injury concern over Sam Byram, who has a hamstring problem.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference earliuer today (Friday), the boss said: “Cheikhou is back, he is training, he is fit and is ready to go.

“He was obviously disappointed with what happened with Senegal, losing on penalties and he took it hard as captain but he is OK now.

“Team news wise, we are OK. Sam Byram has a hamstring injury but we are hopeful he will be OK for the weekend.”

'Of course I have spoken with Jose about the game'

The boss added he has used new signing Jose Fonte to try and get an inside track on Claude Puel’s side, with the Hammers new centre back returning to his old stamping ground less than two weeks after leaving.

West Ham sit just one point and one spot above the Saints in the table, with the winners of the game at St Mary’s potentially moving into the top half of the table.

“Of course I have spoken with Jose about the game,” he said.

“But, there are no secrets in football now.

“I like the way they play. They have had their ups and downs, they have had some injuries but have good new players like Manolo Gabbiadini. It will definitely be a tough game for us.”